Filing cabinet and suspension system therefor



June 25, 1968 R. A. STUDINSKI ET Al. 3,389,949

FILING CABINET AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM THEREFOR Filed June 14, l96 I05 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 200 INVENTOR. 3 m2 ROBERTA. STUD/NSK/ BY EDWARD c STEWART June 1968 R. A. STUDINSKI ET AL 3,389,949

FILING CABINET AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM THEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1966 QWW mmN WWW \WW mw] 9v) wNA QN 9% kw} June 1968 R. A. STUDINSKI ET AL 3,389,949

FILING CABINET AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM THEREFOR Filed June 14, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 5 I5! /40 yfl/ 1,

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June 25, 1963 R. A. STUDINSKI ET AL 3,389,949

FILING CABINET AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM THEREFOR J Qw 1 w WSW wm\ \m\ mmv wQ Q gs-x a GP J1me 1968 R. A. STUDINSKI ET AL 3,

FILING CABINET AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM THEREFOR Filed June 14 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,389,949 FILING CABINET AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM THEREFOR Robert A. Studinski and Edward C. Stewart, Aurora, 111.,

assignors to Lyon Metal Products, Incorporated, Aurora, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 14, 1966, Ser. No. 557,571 20 Claims. (Cl. 312-339) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed a drawer suspension system for an intermediate rail or neutral member and between the neutral member and the drawer rail. A lock bracket is mounted on the rear endof each case rail and includes a flange which overlies the adjacent one of the drawer clips at the rear of the drawer when the drawer is'in the fully closed position. Stop arms and brackets limit the inward and outward movement of the several rails relative to each other. The drawer clips are fashioned to permit ready detachment of the drawer from the suspension system when the system is in its extended position and to permit ready reattachment of the drawer to the suspension system when the system is in extended position.

The present invention relates to drawer suspension systems for mounting drawers in file cabinets and the like, and to file cabinets incorporating the improved drawer suspension systems.

The drawer suspension system of the present invention is of general utility and is useful for mounting drawers in a wide variety of types of furniture, but certain of the advantages are more fully realized when the drawer suspension system is incorporated in a file cabinet, and accordingly, the invention will be so described.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved file cabinet incorporating therein an improved drawer suspension system, the various parts of the drawer suspension system being essentially formed of sheet metal and being simple in construction and economical in manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a drawer suspension structure for mounting a drawer having drawer clips on the opposite sides thereof within a cabinet case for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, the suspension structure comprising a case rail and a drawer rail and a plurality of anti-friction members such as ball bearings disposed therebetween to facilitate longitudinal movement therebetween, means mounting the case rails within the case, and a lock bracket mounted on the rear end of the case rail and including a flange overlying the adjacent one of the drawer clips when the drawer is in the fully closed position thereof, thereby to lock the rear end of the drawer on the drawer rail when the drawer is in the fully closed position thereof.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved drawer suspension structure of the type set forth wherein both of the case rails carry on the rear ends thereof lock brackets engaging the rear drawer clips to prevent accidental or intentional disengagement of the drawer from the suspension system by the applica- 3,389,949 Patented June 25, 1968 ice tion of a pulling force on the drawer handle when the drawer is locked within the case.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved drawer suspension structure of the type set forth includinga case rail carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first inner ball races, 21 neutral member disposed about the case rail and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first outer ball races and carrying integral therewith and disposed outwardly with respect to the first outer ball races respectively second inner ball races, a drawer rail overlying the neutral member and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof second outer ball races, a first pair of inner sets of balls disposed between the first inner ball races and the adjacent one of the first outer ball races, a second pair of outer sets of balls disposed between the second inner ball races and the adjacent one of the second outer ball races, and a stop bracket mounted on the rear of the neutral member and extending inwardly therefrom to engage the rear end of the associated drawer rail to prevent movement of the neutral member outwardly without corresponding movement of the drawer rail.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved drawer suspension structure of the type set forth wherein blocks of frictional material are provided in the second inner ball races and the second outer ball races frictionally engaging the neutral member and the drawer rail and tending to cause movement of the neutral member and the drawer rail together.

In connection with the foregoing object, another object of the invention is to provide an improved drawer suspension structure of the type set forth wherein the outer end of the neutral member carries outwardly directed stop arms blocking the outer end of the second inner ball races, and the inner end of the drawer rail carries a pair of inwardly directed stop arms closing the rear ends of the second outer ball races, thereby to trap the blocks of frictional material in the operative position, the blocks of frictional material also serving as bumpers when the parts of the drawer suspension structure are in the fully extended positions thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a file cabinet having therein the improved drawer suspension structure of the type set forth.

Further features of the invention pertain to the arrangement of the parts and the interconnection thereof whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a file cabinet incorporating therein a drawer suspension system made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in horizontal section on an enlarged scale along the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view in vertical section of the rear of the drawer in FIG. 3 along the line 44 thereof;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a file drawer and the associated suspension structure therefor;

FIGS. 6 to 8 are fragmentary diagrammatic side elevational views of the drawer of FIG. 5 illustrating the removal of the drawer from the suspension structure therefor;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of one of the drawer 3 suspension structures, the parts being illustrated in an extended position thereof;

FIG. is a view in vertical section on an enlarged scale along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section on an enlarged scale along the line 1111 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section on an enlarged scale along the line 12-12 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a view in vertical section on an enlarged scale along the line 1313 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a view in section on a reduced scale along the line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a view in vertical section on an enlarged scale along the line 15-15 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged side elevational view of the drawer rail of the suspension system;

FIG. 17 is an end elevational view of the drawer rail of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the outer ball cage of the suspension system;

FIG. 19 is an end elevational view of the ball cage of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a view in section along the line 2020 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the neutral member of the suspension system;

FIG. 22 is an end elevational view of the neutral member of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the inner ball cage of the suspension system;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary side elevational view with certain parts broken away of the righthand case rail of the suspension system; and

FIG. 25 is an end view of the case rail of FIG. 24.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 to 8 thereof, there is illustrated a file cabinet 100 incorporating therein a drawer suspension structure of the present invention, a three-drawer file cabinet having been shown for purposes of illustration. The file cabinet 100 comprises a case 101 including a body 102 having a substantially rectangular rear wall 103 and a pair of substantially rectangular side walls 104 extending forwardly therefrom and disposed substantially perpendicular thereto and parallel to each other. The upper end of the body 102 carries thereon a top 105 having side flanges 106 overlying the upper ends of the side walls 104 and having a front flange 107 overlying the upper front portion of the body 102. Closing the lower portion of the front opening in the body 102 is a base 108.

Disposed in the forward portion of the case 102 is a front frame 110 (see FIG. 2) including a pair of vertically arranged U-shaped channels 111, each U-shaped channel 111 including a main wall 112 and a pair of side flanges 113. The channels 111 extend substantially the entire height of the cabinet 100 and are joined at intermediate portions thereof by cross braces (not shown). Also disposed within the case 101 and between the side walls 104 intermediate the front and rear edges thereof is a center support 115, the center support 115 including a pair of upstanding U-shaped center channels 116 each including a main wall 117 and a pair of vertically and outwardly extending side flanges 118. There preferably are provided braces (not shown) between the center supports 115 to hold them in the proper position. It will be understood that the front frame 110 and the center support 115 are suitably secured to the body 102 such as by welding to complete the file cabinet case 101.

Disposed in the drawer-receiving opening provided about the front frame 110 are three file drawers 120. Each of the file drawers 120 includes a bottom wall 121 that is generally rectangular in shape and has a width slightly less than the inner width of the cabinet case 101 and a length slightly less than that of the cabinet case 101, the longitudinally extending inner edges of the bottom wall 121 carrying side walls 122 integral therewith and extending upwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto and substantially parallel to each other. Provided centrally in the bottom wall 121 is an index rod recess comprising a pair of downwardly directed flanges 123 joined at the bottom by a lower wall 124, a pair of upstanding rear index flanges 125 being provided as well as an index rod tab 126, all disposed substantially normal to the lower wall 124 for holding the rear end of the index rod.

There further are provided rear bottom flanges 127 I and rear side flanges 128 disposed substantially normal respectively to the bottom wall 121 and the side walls 122. The upper edges of the side walls 122 carry thereon outwardly directed holding flanges 130 that in turn carry on the outer edges thereof upstanding flanges 131 which in turn carry on the upper edges thereof an inwardly directed top flange 132 carrying on the inner edge thereof a dependent retaining flange 133. The rear end of the upstanding flanges 131 also carry inwardly directed flanges 134. The rear of the drawer 120 is closed by a rear wall 136 which is suitably secured as by welding to the various flanges 125, 127, 128 and 134 substantially to close all the space at the rear of the drawer 120 below the top flanges 132, the exception being a slot 137 in the lower end thereof above the index rod tab 126. The upper edge of the rear wall 136 carries a forwardly directed U- shaped top flange 138 and disposed immediately therebelow and centrally of the rear wall 136 is an opening 139 to receive the hand of a user therethrough for manipulating the drawer 120 as will be described more fully hereinafter.

The forward end of the drawer 120 is closed by a drawer head 140 that includes an outer wall 141 that is essentially rectangular in shape, the lower end of the front wall 141 extending below the bottom wall 121 and the lower wall 124 and having on the lower edge thereof a rearwardly directed flange on the rear edge of which is an upturned flange 143 extending upwardly to the underside of the bottom wall 121 and carrying a rearwardly directed attachment flange (not shown) which is suitably secured to the bottom portion of the section 121 as by welding. Formed on the side edges of the outer front wall 141 are side flanges 145 that are directed rearwardly and carry on the rear edges thereof rearwardly and inwardly directed flanges 146, the inner edges of the flanges 146 carrying an inwardly directed back flange 147 thereon, the back flange 147 carrying rearwardly directed side attachment flanges 148 and inwardly directed holding tabs 149 thereon. The upper end of the outer front wall 141 carries a rearwardly and slightly downwardly directed top flange 151 carrying on the rearmost edge thereof a downturned holding flange 152, the front wall 141 and the flanges 151 and 152 cooperating to form a substantially U-shaped retaining portion.

Disposed inwardly and spaced from the outer front wall 141 is an inner front wall 154 having side flanges 155 extending forwardly toward the outer front wall 141, a bottom flange (not shown) also extending forwardly toward the outer front wall 141 and a top flange (not shown), the outer edge of the top flange having an upstanding flange (not shown) disposed within the holding flange 152 on the outer front wall 151. It will be seen that the inner front wall 154 substantially closes the space between the drawer side walls 122 and closes the rear of the drawer head 140. Finally, there is formed on the inner front wall 154 three inwardly directed embossments 159, two of which have fastener receiving openings therethrough for mounting of the latch structure as will be described more fully hereinafter.

Each of the file drawers 120 is mounted within the file cabinet case 101 by means of a pair of drawer suspension structures 200, and in order to mount a drawer 120 upon the suspension structure therefor, as will be explained more fully hereinafter, each of the drawer side walls 122 is provided adjacent to the forward end thereof with a drawer clip (see FIGS. 5 to 8). The clip 160 includes an attachment flange 161 that is suitably secured as by welding to the adjacent drawer side wall 122, and extending outwardly from the attachment flange 161 and disposed substantially normal thereto is a support flange 162, the support flange 162 carrying on the outer end thereof a downturned retaining flange 163. A rear drawer clip 165 is also provided on each of the drawer side walls 122 adjacent to the rear thereof, the rear clip 165 including an attachment flange 166 secured as by welding to the associated drawer side wall 122. Extending outwardly from the lower edge of the attachment flange 166 and disposed substantially normal thereto is a support flange 167, the support flange 167 carrying on the outer edge thereof a downturned retaining flange 168. There further is provided on the rear of the support flange 167 a downturned rear flange 169 for engaging the rear end of the associated drawer rail as will be described more fully hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the righthand drawer side wall 122 as viewed from the front of the file cabinet 100 is provided thereon with a drawer stop or catch 170 that is utilized to lock the drawer 120 in the closed position thereof. The drawer catch 170 includes a pair of attachment flanges 171 which are suitably secured as by welding to the associated side wall 122. Formed integral with the rear end of the forward attachment flange 171 and extending substantially normal thereto laterally from the side wall 122 is an abutment surface 172 whichconnects at the outer end thereof with an inwardly directed cam surface 173 that connects with the rear attachment flange 171. In FIG. 5, it will also be seen that each drawer head back flange 147 carries thereon two rubber bumpers 175, one of the bumpers 175 being provided on each of the back flanges 147 on each side of the drawer head, whereby to absorb the shock of the closure of the drawer 120, the bumpers 175 engaging the front frame 110 and particularly the upstanding front channels 111 and specifically the side flanges 113 thereof. Disposed in the bottom of each of the drawers 120 is an index rod 176 that extends substantially the length of the drawer 120, and specifically from the drawer head 140 rearwardly through an opening in the index rod tab 126. The rear end of the rod 176 carries a retainer 177 disposed substantially at right angles to the axis of the rod 176 and extending laterally into the space between the rear wall 136 and the index rod tab 126, whereby to maintain the retainer 177 of the index rod 176 in the operative position thereof.

Each of the file drawers 120 is provided in the drawer head 140 thereof with a combined pull and latch and label holder 180, mechanism (not shown) being provided to latch each of the file drawers 120 in the closed position thereof. There further is provided a lock 190 disposed in the front flange 107 of the top 105 and which through mechanism (not shown) is useful in moving a lock bar 191 (see FIG. 3) between the locking and unlocked positions thereof, the lock bar 191 being provided with a plurality of tangs 192 struck therefrom and adapted to engage the abutment surface 172 on the drawer catch 170 when the lock bar 191 is shifted to a raised or locking position thereof by actuating the lock 190.

Further details of construction of the file cabinet \100 and of the case 101 thereof and the file drawers 120 thereof and the combined pull and latch and label holder 180 and the lock 190 are set forth in the copending application for United States Letters Patent Ser. No. 534,382 filed Mar. 15, 1966, by Kenneth D. Schreyer, for File Cabinet, the description thereof being incorporated herein by reference.

Each of the drawers 120 is provided with a drawer suspension 200 for each side thereof for mounting of the drawer 120 in the file cabinet case 102, the drawer suspension 200 being more particularly mounted upon the front frame 110 and the center support 115 and receiving the drawer clips 160 and 165 on the associated drawer 120. With the exception of certain minor details which will be pointed out hereinafter, the drawer suspensions 200 disposed on the opposite sides of each of the drawers are substantially identical, one being the mirror image of the other, and accordingly, like reference numerals have been applied to like parts throughout and only one of the drawer suspensions 200 will be described in detail. Each drawer suspension 200 includes a case rail 201 which extends substantially the entire length of the file case 101, and as may best be seen in FIGS. 24 and 25 includes a main wall 202 that is substantially flat and has struck therefrom a pair of spaced apart mounting arms 203, the mounting arms 203 being directed forwardly and adapted to engage in substantially rectangular cutouts (not shown) in the front channel 111 and rectangular cutouts 119 in the center channel 116, the arms 203 actually resting upon the lower portions defining the cutouts. There further are provided openings in the main wall 202 to receive therethrough fasteners such as the bolts 109 passing therethrough and engaging threaded openings in the front channel 111 and threaded openings in the center channels 116, shims being provided as required. Formed on the longitudinally extending edges of the main wall 202 are concave part-circular inner ball races 206 that extend substantially the entire length of the main wall 202, ball retaining tangs 207 being provided on the forward ends of both of the inner ball races 206. There further is provided on the inner side of the main wall 202 and between the races 206 and intermediate the ends of the case rail 201 a bracket 208 secured as by welding to the main wall 202 and having disposed normal with respect thereto a stop arm 209. The stop arm 209 carries thereon a bumper 260 formed of a suitable resilient material such as rubber, the bumper 260 being secured to the stop arm 209.

Disposed about the case rail 201 is a neutral member 210, the details of construction of which are illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22. The neutral member 210 includes a main wall 211 that is disposed vertically in use and substantially parallel to the main wall 202 but spaced outwardly therefrom. The rear end of the neutral member 210 carries a bracket 212 secured to the main wall 211 such as by welding, the bracket carrying an outwardly directed stop arm 213 adapted in use to engage the rear of the associated drawer rail, as will be described more fully hereinafter, to limit the outward movement of the neutral member 210 with respect to the drawer rail. Formed on the rear end of the neutral member 210 is a struckout stop arm 214 which is adapted to engage the bumper 260 on the stop arm 209 carried by the case rail 201 to limit the outward movement of the neutral member 210 with respect to the case rail 201. Formed on the longitudinally extending upper and lower edges of the main wall 211 are laterally and outwardly extending flanges 215 which carry outer ball races 216 to cooperate with the inner ball races 206 on the case rail 201. Extending upwardly and downwardly from the outer edges of the outer ball races 216 are outwardly directed inner ball races 218 that extend substantially the entire length of the neutral member 210 and are closed at the forward end thereof by outwardly directed tangs 219.

Disposed about the neutral member 210 and cooperat ing therewith is a drawer rail 220, the details of construction of which may be best seen in FIGS. 16 and 17. The drawer rail 220 includes a main wall 221 that is disposed substantially vertically in use and spaced outwardly with respect to the main wall 211 of the neutral member 210. The longitudinally extending edges of the main wall 221 carry outer ball races 222 that extend over the inner ball races 218 upon the neutral member 210, tangs or stops 223 being provided at the rear end of the drawer rail 220 to close the rear end of the outer ball race 222. Mounted upon the upper outer race 222 is a drawer bracket 225 including an attachment flange 226 that is suitably secured as by welding to the drawer rail 220 and having formed integral therewith and extending forwardly therefrom a retaining arm 226 adapted to overlie and engage the associated drawer clip.

Disposed between the various sets of inner and outer races are ball bearings 229. A first pair of sets of ball bearings is maintained in the operative position by an inner ball cage 230, see FIG. 23, the inner ball cage 230 including a main wall 231 having a pair of outwardly directed flanges 232 on the upper and lower edges thereof having ball receiving openings 233, the inner ball cage 230 maintaining two sets of ball bearings 229 in the operative position, the one set being disposed between the upper inner ball race 206 and the cooperating outer ball race 216 and the other set being disposed between the lower inner ball race 296 and the cooperating outer lower ball race 216.

A second pair of sets of ball bearings 229 is held in the operative position by an outer ball cage 235 having a main wall 236 carrying outwardly directed flanges 237 thereon having ball receiving openings 238 therein for maintaining the associated ball bearings in the desired operative position. More specifically, the outer ball cage 235 maintains a first set of ball hearings in position between the upper inner ball races 218 and the cooperating upper outer ball race 222 and a second set of ball bearings in position between the lower inner ball race 218 and the cooperating lower outer ball race 222. There further is provided on each end of the flanges 237 a reversely bent tab 239 providing a smooth outer surface at the end thereof.

There further is provided between the neutral member 210 and the drawer rail 220 four buffers 265 formed of fibrous material interconnected by a synthetic organic resin and in the form of short cylinders or blocks of frictional material, two of the buffers 265 being disposed between the upper outer ball race 222 and the upper inner ball race 218 at the ends of the ball cage 235 and abutting the portions 239 thereon in certain positions thereof, and the other two buffers 265 being disposed between the lower outer ball race 222 and the lower inner ball race 218 and disposed on either side of the outer ball cage 235 to engage the portions 239 thereof. Furthermore, when the parts are in the fully extended position, the tangs 219 on the forward end of the neutral member 210 engage the associated buffer blocks 265 and push them rearwardly against the front end of the outer ball cage 235 and the rear end of the ball cage 235 pushes the rearmost buffer blocks 265 against the rear tangs or stops 223 on the rear end of the drawer rail 220, thereby to provide a positive stop for the parts in the fully extended position thereof.

There further is provided on the rear end of the case rail 201 a Z-lock bracket 250, the details of construction of which are best seen in FIGS. 3, 4, 9, and 24. As illustrated, the bracket 250 includes a main wall 251 that is disposed substantially vertically and is suitably secured as by welding to the rear end of the main wall 2fi2 of the case rail 201. An outturned reinforcing flange 252 is formed on the forward edge of the main wall 251 and a stop flange 253 is formed on the rear edge of the main wall 251 and extends inwardly, i.e., in a direction opposite from the flange 252. The main wall 251 extends upwardly and downwardly beyond the upper and lower surfaces of the associated drawer rail 220 and has upper and lower edges that converge rearwardly, these edges carrying retaining flanges 254 directed inwardly and overlying the associated drawer rail 220. The stop flange 253 is further provided with a rubber bumper 255 thereon which engages the stop arm 213 on the neutral member 210 to absorb the shock of closing the associated drawer 120. Two of the retaining flanges 254 are provided whereby the bracket 250 is symmetrical about a horizontal plane so that the same bracket construction can be used on both the lefthand case rail 201 and the righthand case rail 201.

It will be understood that in the construction of the file cabinet 103, the drawer suspensions 26% are first mounted upon the case 101 and specifically upon the front frame and the center support thereof by inserting the mounting arms 203 into the associated openings in the respective front and center channels 111 and 115. To mount the associated drawer upon its drawer suspensions 200, the drawer rails 220 and the parts connected and driven thereby are pulled to the outermost positions thereof with respect to the cabinet case 101. The drawer 120 is then placed in the approximate position over the drawer rails 220 and the drawer clips 16% are lowered upon the drawer rails 220 until they are resting thereupon and in front of the drawer brackets 225. The rear end of the drawer 12d and specifically the rear drawer clips 165 are then dropped upon the upper surface of the drawer rails 220. The drawer 12%) is then shifted rearwardiy with respect to the drawer rails 220, whereby to move the front drawer clips 160 under the drawer brackets 225 and to move the rear drawer clips 165 rearwardly until the downturned flanges 169 drop behind the rear of the associated drawer rail 22%. The drawer 120 is now mounted in the operative position upon the drawer rails 220.

As the drawer 120 is moved toward the closed position thereof within the cabinet case 101, the drawer rail 220 moves inwardly until the stop arm 213 on the rear of the neutral member 210 strikes the bumper 255 on the Z-stop bracket 250; continued inward movement of the drawer now causes relative movement between the neutral member 21d and the drawer rail 22% until the rear end of the drawer rail 220 strikes the stop arm 213 on the neutral member 216; it will be appreciated that the bumpers 175 on the rear of the drawer head finally abut against the front channel 111 also to stop inward movement of the drawer 120. If the drawer 120 is now pulled outwardly toward its fully extended position, eventually the stop arm 214 on the neutral member 210 will engage the bumper 260 carried by the case rail 201 and thereafter the frictional engagement between the neutral member 210 and the drawer rail 220 will be overcome and the parts moved outwardly until the stop arms or tangs 223 on the rear of the drawer rail 220 abut against the fiber blocks 265, after which the outer ball cage 235 will abut the rear end thereof against the rearmost fiber blocks 265 and the stop arms or tangs 219 on the neutral member 210 will push the forward ones of the fiber blocks 265 against the forward ends of the flanges 239 on the outer ball cage 235, thereby to establish the final outer position of the drawer 120 with respect to the cabinet case 101.

The above described suspension structure for mounting the drawer 120 upon the drawer rails 220 permits the drawer 120 to be readily removed therefrom. Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8 of the drawings, there is diagrammatically illustrated the simple manner in which the drawer 120 can be removed from the suspensions 209 therefore. First the drawer 126 is preferably pulled to the outermost position thereof, after which the user grasps the rear of the drawer through the handhold 139 in the rear wall 136 and lifts upwardly until the downturned flanges 169 on the rear drawer clips are raised above the upper surfaces of the drawer rails 220. Then the entire drawer is shifted forwardly until the front drawer clips are disengaged from beneath the drawer brackets 225, after which the drawer 120 can be removed from the file cabinet 100. In order to remount the drawer 120 upon the suspensions 200 therefor, the operation is simply reversed as has been described above.

Although the above described ease of removal of the drawer 120 from the suspensions 220 therefore is highly advantageous when such removal is desired, such ready removal of the drawer 120 from the suspensions 2% is equally undesirable if no such removal is desired, i.e., if the drawer 121) is in the fully closed and locked position thereof. An important feature of the invention there fore resides in the provision of the Z-lock bracket 250 at the rear of the case rails 201. Referring particularly to FIG. 3, it will be seen that when the drawer 120 is in the fully closed position thereof, the rear drawer clips 165 are disposed below the associated one of the retaining flanges 254 on the associated lock bracket 250, whereby it is impossible for the rear of the drawer 120 sufliciently to clear the downturned flanges 169 from the rear of the drawer rails 220, whereby it is impossible to remove the drawer 120 from the drawer suspensions 200 thereof when the drawer 120 is in the fully closed position.

In passing it is also pointed out that the righthandmost case rail 201 carries thereon a lock bar guide 195, each of the lock bar guides 195 more particularly including a flat plate 196 suitably secured as by welding to the associated case rail 201 and having struck therefrom a pair of opposed and spaced apart retaining flanges 197 that guide the lock bar 191 in the vertical movement with respect thereto.

Yet another important feature of the present invention resides in the fact that all of the parts of the suspension structures 200 are formed of sheet metal rolled or otherwise shaped to the form described and illustrated herein, the only parts not so formed being the several bumpers and ball bearings. More specifically, the case rail 201 including the Z-lock bracket 250 thereon, the neutral member 210, the drawer rail 220, the ball cage 230 and the ball case 235 are all formed of sheet metal shaped as illustrated and described. Furthermore, the sheet metal forming the various parts is of relatively light gauge as will be appreciated from the following examples of the gauge of the sheet metal utilized. In a typical construc tion of the drawer suspensions 200, the case rail 201 is formed of 16 gauge steel, the neutral member 210 is formed of 16 gauge steel, the drawer rail 280 is formed of 16 gauge steel, the Z-lock bracket 250 is formed of 12 gauge steel, and the ball cages 230 and 235 are formed of 24 gauge steel.

From the above description it will be seen that there has been provided an improved file cabinet, and specifically an improved drawer suspension structure therefor which fulfills all of the objects and advantages set forth above. While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A file cabinet comprising a case including a body, a drawer disposed in said case, a pair of drawer suspension structures disposed respectively on the opposite sides of said drawer and mounting said drawer within said case for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, each of said suspension structures including a case rail and a drawer rail and a plurality of anti-friction bearing members disposed therebetween to facilitate longitudinal movement therebetween, means mounting said case rails within said case, a pair of drawer clips mounted on each of the outer sides of said drawer in longitudinally spaced apart positions and overlying and resting upon the associated one of said drawer rails respectively adjacent to the front and rear thereof, and a lock bracket mounted on the rear end of at least one of said case rails and including a flange overlying the adjacent one of said drawer clips when said drawer is in the fully closed position thereof, thereby to lock the rear end of said drawer on said drawer rail when said drawer is in the fully closed position thereof.

2. The file cabinet set forth in claim 1, wherein a pair of said lock brackets is provided mounted respectively on the rear ends of said case rails.

3. A file cabinet comprising a case including a body having a front frame positioned at the forward end thereof and a center support positioned toward but spaced from and substantially parallel to said front frame, a drawer disposed in said case, a pair of drawer suspension structures disposed respectively on the opposite sides of said drawer and mounting said drawer within said case for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, each of said suspension structures including a case rail carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first inner ball races, means mounting said case rail upon said front frame and said support, a neutral member disposed about said case rail and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first outer ball races and carrying integral therewith and disposed outwardly with respect to said first outer ball races respectively second inner ball races, a drawer rail overlying said neutral member and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof second outer ball races, a first pair of inner sets of balls dis posed between said first inner ball races and the adjacent one of said first outer ball races, a second pair of outer sets of balls disposed between said inner ball races and the adjacent one of said second outer ball races, a pair of drawer clips mounted on each of the outer sides of said drawer in longitudinally spaced apart positions and overlying and resting upon the associated one of said drawer rails respectively adjacent to the front and rear thereof, and a pair of lock brackets mounted respectively on the rear ends of said case rails and each including a flange overlying the adjacent one of said drawer clips when said drawer is in the fully closed position thereof, thereby to lock the rear end of said drawer on said drawer rail when said drawer is in the fully closed position thereof.

4. A file cabinet comprising a case including a body, a drawer disposed in said case, a pair of drawer suspension structures disposed respectively on the opposite sides of said drawer and mounting said drawer within said case for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, each of said suspension structures including a case rail carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first inner ball races, means mounting said case rail upon said case within said body, a neutral member disposed about said case rail and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first outer ball races and carrying integral therewith and disposed outwardly with respect to said first outer ball races respectively second inner ball races, a drawer rail overlying said neutral member and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof second outer ball races, a first pair of inner sets of ball-s disposed between said first inner ball races and the adjacent one of said 'tfirst outer ball races, a second pair of outer sets of balls disposed between said second inner ball races and the adjacent one of said second outer ball races, and a stop bracket mounted on the rear of said neutral member and extending outwardly therefrom to engage the rear of the associated drawer rail to limit forward movement of said neutral member with respect to said drawer rail.

5. A file cabinet comprising a case including a body, a drawer disposed in said case, a pair of drawer suspension structures disposed respectively on the opposite sides of said drawer and mounting said drawer within said case for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, each of said suspension structures including a case rail and a drawer rail and a plurality of anti-friction bearing members disposed therebetween to facilitate longitudinal movement therebetween, means mounting said case rails within said case, a pair of drawer clips mounted on each of the outer sides of said drawer in longitudinally spaced apart positions and overlying and resting upon the associated one of said drawer rails respectively adjacent to the front and rear thereof, and a lock bracket mounted on the rear end of at least one of said case rails and including a flange sloping downwardly and rearwardly and overlying the adjacent one of said drawer clip's when said drawer is in the fully closed position thereof whereby to wedge the rear end of the drawer into locking relation against the drawer rail.

6. A file cabinet comprising a case including a body, a drawer disposed in said case, a pair of drawer suspension structures disposed respectively on the opposite sides of said drawer and mounting said drawer within said case for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, each of said suspension structures including a case rail and a drawer rail and a plurality of anti-friction bearing members disposed therebetween to facilitate longitudinal movement therebetween, means mounting said case rails within said case, a pair of drawer clips mounted on each of the outer sides of said drawer in longitudinally spaced apart positions and overlying and resting upon the associated one of said drawer rails respectively adjacent to the front and rear thereof, the rear drawer clips each having a downturned rear flange engaging the rear of the associated drawer rail, a pair of drawer brackets respectively mounted on the drawer rails adjacent to the forward ends thereof, said drawer brackets having fingers extending forwardly of the drawer raiis in overlying relation to the front drawer clips and abutting against the ear ends thereof, and a lock bracket mounted on the rear end of at least one of said case rails and including a flange overlying the adjacent one of said drawer clips when said drawer is in the fully closed position thereof, thereby to lock the rear end of said drawer on said drawer rail when said drawer is in the fully closed position thereof and positively preventing lifting of the rear edge of the drawer upwardly, thereby preventing disengagement of said drawer clips from said drawer rails and said drawer brackets.

7. A file cabinet comprising a case including a body having a front frame positioned at the forward end thereof and a center support positioned toward but spaced from and substantially parallel to said front frame, a drawer disposed in said case, a pair of drawer suspension structures disposed respectively on the opposite sides of said drawer and mounting said drawer within said case for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, each of said suspension structures including a case rail carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first inner ball races, means mounting said case rail upon said front frame and said support, aneutral member disposed about said case rail and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first outer ball races and carrying integral therewith and disposed outwardly with respect to said first outer ball races respectively second inner ball races, a drawer rail overlying said neutral member and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof second outer ball races, a first pair of inner sets of balls disposed between said first inner ball races and the adjacent one of said first outer ball races, 2. second pair of outer sets of balls disposed between said inner ball races and the adjacent one of said second outer ball races, a pair of drawer clips mounted on each of the outer sides of said drawer in longitudinally spaced apart positions and overlying and resting upon the associated one of said drawer rails respectively adjacent to the front and rear thereof, a pair of lock brackets mounted respectively on the rear ends of said case rails and each including a flange overlying the adjacent one of said drawer clips when said drawer is in the fully closed position thereof, thereby to lock the rear end of said drawer on said drawer railwhen said drawer is in the fully closed position thereof, the flange on each of said lock brackets sloping downwardly and rearwardly thereby to wedge the rear drawer clips against the drawer rails when the drawer is in the fully closed position thereof.

8. A file cabinet comprising a case including a body having the front frame positioned at the forward end thereof and a center support positioned toward but spaced from and substantially parallel to said front frame, a drawer disposed in said case, a pair of drawer suspension structures disposed respectively on the opposite sides of said drawer and mounting said drawer within said case for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, each of said suspension structures including a case rail carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first inner ball races, means mounting said case rail upon said front frame and said support, a neutral member disposed about said case rail and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first outer ball races and carrying integral therewith and disposed outwardly with respect to said first outer ball races respectively second inner ball races, a drawer rail overlying said neutral member and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof second outer ball races, a first pair of inner sets of balls disposed between said first inner ball races and the adjacent one of said first outer ball races, at second pair of outer sets of balls disposed between said inner ball races and the adjacent one of said second outer ball races, 9. pair of drawer Clips mounted on each of the outer sides of said drawer in longitudinally spaced apart positions and overlying and resting upon the associated one of said drawer rails respectively adjacent to the front and rear thereof, a pair of lock brackets mounted respectively on the rear ends of said case rails and each including a flange overlying the adjacent one of said drawer clips when said drawer is in the fully closed position thereof, thereby to lock the rear end of said drawer on said drawer rail when said drawer is in the fully closed position thereof, each of the rear drawer clips having a downturned rear flange engaging the rear of the associated drawer rail, and a pair of drawer brackets respectively mounted adjacent to the forward ends of said drawer rails and extending forwardly and overlying and abutting against the rear of the associated drawer clips, said lock brackets in the closed position of said drawer positively preventing lifting of said drawer upwardly, thereby positively preventing disengagement of said drawer clips from said drawer rail and said brackets.

9. A file cabinet comprising a case including a body, a drawer disposed in said case, a pair of drawer suspension structures disposed respectively on the opposite sides of said drawer and mounting said drawer within said case for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, each of said suspension structures including a case rail carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first inner ball races, means mounting said case rail upon said case within said body, a neutral member disposed about said case rail and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first outer ball races and carrying integral there with and disposed outwardly with respect to said first outer ball races respectively second inner ball races, a drawer rail overlying said neutral member and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof second outer ball races, at first pair of inner sets of balls disposed between said first inner ball races and the adjacent one of said first outer ball races, 21 second pair of outer sets of balls disposed between said second inner ball races and the ad jacent one of said second outer ball races, a stop bracket mounted on the rear of said neutral member and extending outwardly therefrom to engage the rear of the associated drawer rail to limit forward movement of said new tral member with respect to said drawer rail, 21 first pair of stop arms on the forward end of said neutral member and extending outwardly to close the forward ends of said second inner ball races, and a second pair of stop arms on the rear end of said drawer rail and extending inwardly to close the rear ends of said second outer ball races.

19. A drawer suspension structure for mounting a drawer having pairs of drawer clips on the opposite sides thereof within a case for movement inwardly and out wardly with respect thereto, said suspension structure comprising a case rail and a drawer rail and a plurality of antifriction bearing members disposed therebetween to facilitate longitudinal movement therebetween, means for mounting said case rail Within an associated case, a lock bracket mounted on the rear end of said case rail and including a flange overlying the adjacent one of the associ- 13 ated drawer clips when said drawer is in the fully closed position thereof, thereby to lock the rear end of said drawer on said drawer rail when said drawer is in the fully closed position thereof, the rear drawer clip on the associated drawer having a downturned rear flange for engaging the rear end of said drawer rail, the drawer rail having a drawer bracket mounted thereon adjacent to the for ward end thereof and having a portion extending forwardly to overlie and abut against the rear of the associated front drawer clip, said lock bracket in the closed position of the associated drawer positively preventing lifting of the rear thereof upwardly thereby positively preventing disengagement of the associated rear drawer clip from said drawer rail and disengagement of the associated front drawer clip from said drawer bracket.

11. A drawer suspension structure for mounting a drawer having pairs of drawer clips on the opposite sides thereof within a case for movement inwardly and out wardly with. respect thereto, said suspension structure .comprising a case rail carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first inner ball races, means on said case rail for mounting said suspension structure upon. the associvated case, a neutral member disposed about said case rail and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first outer ball races and carrying integral therewith and disposed outwardly with respect to said first outer ball races respectively second inner ball races, a drawer rail overlying said neutral member for receiving the drawer clips on the associated drawer to mount the drawer thereon and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof second outer ball races, a first pair of inner sets of balls disposed between said first inner ball races and the adjacent one of said first outer ball races, a second pair of outer sets of balls disposed between said second inner ball races and the adjacent one of said second outer ball races, a lock bracket mounted on the rear end of said case rail and including a flange overlying the adjacent one of the associated drawer clips when the associated drawer is in the fully closed position thereof, thereby to lock the rear end of the associated drawer on sad dra'wer rail when the drawer is in the fully closed position thereof, the flange of the lock bracket sloping downwardly and rearwardly thereby to wedge the rear drawer clip against the drawer rail when the drawer is in the fully closed position thereof.

12. The file cabinet set forth in claim 9, and further comprising blocks of bumper material disposed between said second inner ball races and the adjacent one of said second outer ball races and disposed between cooperating pairs of said first and second stop arms.

13. A file cabinet comprising a case including a body, a drawer disposed in said case, a pair of drawer suspension structures disposed respectively on the opposite sides of said drawer and mounting said drawer within said case for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, each of said suspension structures including a case rail carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first inner ball races, means mounting said case rail upon said case within said body, a neutral member disposed about said case rail and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first outer ball races and carrying integral therewith and disposed outwardly with respect to said first outer ball races respectively second inner ball races, a drawer rail overlying said neutral member and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof second outer ball races, a first ball cage carrying a first pair of inner sets of balls disposed between said first inner ball races and the adjacent one of said first outer ball races, a second ball cage carrying a second pair of outer sets of balls disposed between said second inner ball races and the adjacent one of said second outer ball races, blocks of frictional material disposed in said second inner ball races and said second outer ball races at both ends of said second ball cage, a first pair of stop arms on the forward end of said neutral member extending outwardly therefrom to close the front ends of said second inner ball races, and a second pair of stop arms on the rear end of said drawer rail extending inwardly therefrom to close the rear ends of said second outer 'ball races, said blocks of material serving as bumpers between said neutral member and said drawer rail, when said drawer suspension structure is in thefull extended position thereof.

14. A drawer suspension structure for mounting a drawer having pairs of drawer clips on the opposite sides thereof within a case for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, said suspension structure comprising a case rail and a drawer rail and a plurality of anti-friction bearing members disposed therebetween to facilitate longitudinal movement therebetween, means for mounting said case rail within an associated case, and a lock bracket mounted on the rear end of said case rail and including a flange overlying the adjacent one of the associated drawer clips when said drawer is in the fully closed position thereof, thereby to lock the rear end of said drawer on said drawer rail when said drawer is in the fully closed position thereof.

15. The drawer suspension structure set forth in claim 14, wherein the flange on said lock bracket slopes downwardly and rearwardly, thereby to wedge the rear end of the associated drawer against said drawer rail when the drawer is in the fully closed position thereof.

16. A drawer suspension structure for mounting a drawer having pairs of drawer clips on the opposite sides thereof within a case for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, said suspension structure comprising a case rail carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first inner ball races, means on said case rail for mounting said suspension structure upon the associated case, a neutral member disposed about said case rail and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first outer ball races and carrying integral therewith and disposed outwardly with respect to said first outer ball races respectively second inner ball races, a drawer rail overlying said neutral member for receiving the drawer clips on the associated drawer to mount the drawer thereon and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof second outer ball races, a first pair of inner sets of balls disposed between said first inner ball races and the adjacent one of said first outer ball races, a second pair of outer sets of balls disposed between said second inner ball races and the adjacent one of said second outer ball races, and a lock bracket mounted on the rear end of said case rail and including a flange overlying the adjacent one of the associated drawer clips when the associated drawer is in the fully closed position thereof, thereby to lock the rear end of the associated drawer on said drawer rail when the drawer is in the fully closed position thereof.

17. A drawer suspension structure for mounting a drawer having pairs of drawer clips on the opposite sides thereof within a case for movement inwardly and out wardly with respect thereto, said suspension structure comprising a case rail carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first inner ball races, means for mounting said case rail upon an associated case, a neutral member disposed about said case rail and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first outer ball races and carrying integral therewith and disposed outwardly with respect to said first outer ball races respectively second inner ball races, a drawer rail overlying said neutral member and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof second outer ball races, a first pair of inner sets of balls disposed between said first inner ball races and the adjacent one of said first outer ball races, a second pair of outer sets of balls disposed between said second inner ball races and the adjacent one of said second outer ball races, and a stop bracket mounted on the rear of said neutral member and extending inwardly therefrom to engage the rear of the associated drawer rail to prevent forward move- 15 ment of said neutral member in the telescoped position independently of said associated drawer rail.

18. The drawer suspension structure set forth in claim 17, and further comprising a first pair of stop arms on the forward end of said neutral member extending outwardly to close the forward ends of said second inner ball races, and a second pair of stop arms on-the rear end of said drawer rail extending inwardly to close the rear ends of said second ball races.

19. The drawer suspension structure set forth in claim 18, and further comprising blocks of bumper material disposed between said second inner ball races and the adjacent one of said second outer ball races and disposed between cooperating pairs of said first and second stop arms.

20. A drawer suspension structure for mounting a drawer having pairs of drawer clips on the opposite sides thereof within a case for movement inwardly and out- Wardly with respect thereto, said suspension structure comprising a case rail carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first inner ball races, means for mounting said case rail upon the associated case, a neutral member disposed about said case rail and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof first outer ball races and carrying integral therewith and disposed outwardly with respect to said first outer ball races respectively second inner ball races, a drawer rail overlying said neutral member and carrying on the upper and lower edges thereof second outer ball races, a first ball cage carrying a first pair of inner sets of balls disposed between said first 16 inner ball races and an adjacent one of said first outer ball races, a second ball cage carrying a second pair of outer sets of balls disposed between said second inner ball races and the adjacent one of said second outer ball races, blocks of frictional material disposed in said second inner ball races and said second outer ball races at both ends of said second ball cage, a first pair of stop arms at the forward end of said neutral member extending outwardly therefrom to close the front ends of said second inner 'ball races, and a second pair of stop arms on the rear end of said drawer rail extending inwardly therefrom to close the rear ends of said second outer ball races, said blocks of material serving as bumpers between said neutral member and said drawer rail when said drawer suspension structure is in the fully extended position thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,725,338 8/1929 Card et a1. 312--339 2,320,276 5/ 1943 Gussack 3083.8 2,606,090 8/1952 Straubel 308-3.8 2,614,022 10/1952 Kurtzon 3l2339 2,805,106 9/1957 Penkala 308-38 2,869,961 1/1959 Gomersall 312-339 2,926,048 2/1960 Gussack 312338 X 3,039,838 6/1962 Koch et al 312348 X 3,150,902 9/1964 Naab et al. 312217 JAMES T. MCCALL, Primary Examiner. 

